Calf-muzzle



' C.ANDERS; EN.

CALF MUZZLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY l2 1919 1,326,823. Patented Dec. 30,1919.

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- UNITED STATES CHARLES ANDERSEN, OF CHERRY PATCH, MONTANA.

GALE-MUZZLE.

Application filed May 12, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES ANDERsnN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cherry Patch, in the county of Blaine and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Calf-Muzzles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved muzzle for use upon a calf and the principal object of the invention is to provide a muzzle for use in weaning a calf, the muzzle belng so constructed that it may be adjusted according to the size of'the calfs head.

Another object of the invention is to so construct this muzzle that it will be securely held in place and not liable to slip out of position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved type ,of fork for use in connection with the muzzle, the handle of the fork being permanently connected with the nose encircling strap of the muzzle and adjusted with an arm extending across the forehead to securely hold the fork in the proper position.

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure l is a perspective view showing the muzzle in place,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the muzzle looking toward the neck encircling yoke,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the muzzle looking toward the nose encircling band,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the manner of connecting the said band with the neck yoke, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional View taken through the connection of the head band with the handle portion of the fork.

This muzzle is put in place upon the calfs head as shown in Fig. 1 and is provided with a head band 10 which extends over the head and down the forehead and is curved longitudinally to conform to the contour of the head and forehead. The rear end of this head band extends to a point upon the neck of the animal where it is hingedly attached to the collar or neck yoke 11. This neck yoke 11 and also the head band will preferably be formed of metal or some other rigid material which will hold its shape and straps 12 and 13 will be connected with the free ends of this yoke 11 the longer strap 13 constituting a throat stra and one of these straps carrying a buckle 14 so that the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 30, 1919. Serial No. 296,399.

throat encircling strap may be secured thus holding the yoke 11 in place.

The nose encircling band is provided with an upper yoke 15 of metal or some other rigid material and a chin strap 16 which extends beneath the chin and is connected with the ends of the yoke 15 as shown in Fig. 3. The fork is provided with a handle 17 rigidly connected with the yoke 15 and has its upper portion bifurcated as shown at 18 to receive the forward end portion of the head. band 10, the forward end portion of this head band being provided with side openings or perforations 19 through which will pass the cotter keys or other removable fasteners 20 thus securely but releasably connecting the head band with the handle of the fork. As the head band is releasably connected with the fork it will be seen that proper adjustment can be made so that the muzzle will fit properly upon the head of the calf. Tines or prongs 21 are carried by the holder 22 and extend over the nose of the calf to a point forward thereof for a. purpose to be hereinafter brought out. A strap 23 similar to the corresponding strap in a halter is connected with the chin strap 16 and carries a buckle 24 so that the strap 23 may be passed about the throat strap 13 and fastened by the buckle thus permitting the strap to be tightened for proper adjust-.

ment. It is of course understood that if desired a separate strap may be connected with the throat strap 13 and connected with the strap 23 through the medium of the buckle.

hen in use this muzzle will be put in place as shown in Fig. 1 with the head band extending across the head and down the forehead and the neck and nose yokes positioned as shown, the chin strap extending beneath the chin. It is of course obvious that the animals nose will first be passed through the nose encircling band and the head band and neck yoke then put in place. The throat strap will then be secured by the buckle 14 and the muzzle will be secured in place and cannot slip off of the head or out of the desired position. Of course if it is found that the nose encircling band is not in the proper position adjustment can be made by tightening or loosening the strap 23 and by removing the fasteners 20 and making proper adjustment of the handle and head band and then replacing the fasteners. With this device in place a calf will be easily and quickly weaned as the prongs will extend in front of the nose and when the calf attempts to feed, these prongs will stick into the side of the cow thus causing the cow to move and drive the calf away. When it is no longer necessary to use this muzzle it can be easily removed and put away until again needed. There has thus been provided a muzzle which will be simple in construction and which when once in place will be securely held in place and prevented from moving out of the proper position. There has further been provided a muzzle which will be strong and durable and not liable to be broken in case the calf should try to remove the muzzle b rubbing against a tree or post. By having tie head band 10 hingedly connected with the neck yoke 11 the head band may move as the animal moves its head up and down thus preventing chafing.

WVhat is claimed is: A calf weaner comprislng a U-shaped neck yoke formed of rigid material and adapted to embrace the upper portion of the neck, a flexible throat strap carried by the yoke for extending beneath the throat to permit slight movement of the yoke, a U-shaped nose yoke of rigid material and adapted to embrace the upper portion of the nose, a chin strap of flexible material connected with the nose strap, a head band of rigid material conforming to the contour of the head hingedly connected with the neck yoke and extending forwardly over the head and down the forehead, a fork having a handle of rigid material connected intermediate its length with the nose yoke and extending upwardly and releasably connected with the head band, and a flexible strap connecting the throat strap with the chin strap.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto.

CHARLES ANDERSEN. 

